News

Minister reflects on Coastguard decision

Published

10 years ago

July 11, 2014

FORMER Under Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning MP, met Milford Haven Coastguard on Wednesday on his first visit since he decided to keep services functioning in Pembrokeshire.

crabbcoastguard He told the Coastguard that he had listened to what the public expect of him and explained that the decision was made on risk, pointing out that the decision to save Milford Coastguard over Swansea was made easier by the fact that Swansea closed and passed over duty to Milford Haven on the day he visited them. He then alluded to the fact that it was a very difficult decision, nationally, and also an economic decision. Speaking to the Herald, he said: “I had inherited the situation that there was going to be a reconfiguration of the Coastguard. I had to look carefully at what the decision was, and the decision meant Milford was going to close. I went around all the Coastguards and met a lot of the people that were protesting, I went everywhere, and at the end of the day I think I made the right decision for Pembrokeshire, and the Coastguards as a whole, to keep Milford open. “This is a social call as I’m here in another capacity, being responsible for health and safety. I was looking at the port and natural gas terminals, but I also wanted to make a personal visit here. I wanted to come back and see how it was working and it seems to be working really, really well. I am very impressed, seeing all the new technology. “There will always be local issues on health and safety but the record here is excellent. Any injury is one too many, of course. What the community need to do is work together for the future of this port.” Referring to his role as Minister of State for Disabled People, he said: “We must make sure that people with disability can live their dreams and have their aspirations and have a great life.” Stephen Crabb MP, who was also in attendance, applauded the saving of Milford Haven Coastguard as the ‘right outcome’ and went on to say: “The last time he (Mike Penning) visited Pembrokeshire was when I asked him to come down here when we had the great campaign to save Milford Coastguard station. “I asked him to come and see for himself the coastline here, and to meet with the Coastguard campaign group who were fighting to save the Coastguard, and asked him as the Minister then to reconsider the decision to close Milford Haven Coastguard. “So I am really pleased that he is back in Pembrokeshire, albeit with a different Ministerial hat, visiting the Coastguard station that he saved. Politicians and government are often accused of not listening and trampling ahead with proposals without really taking on board what local people are saying. “This is an instance where the local community made its voice heard very powerfully, through media and elsewhere. The Minister came down and met with the campaign group and with myself and went away and made a different decision. This is a great example of a government who listens.”

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

3 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

4 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

4 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”